How to Repot Ficus Benjamina

by Jessica Westover

Weeping figs grow well when they are slightly root-bound.

Ficus benjamina, also called weeping fig, is a broadleaf evergreen with dark-green, oval leaves and weeping branches. Although weeping figs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, they grow as container plants indoors in all zones. Weeping figs are very temperamental and drop their leaves at when exposed to stress of any kind. Leave established weeping figs in place, moving them only when necessary, to avoid causing defoliation. Repot your weeping fig only when it becomes so root-bound that growth is negatively affected.

1

Repot the weeping fig in the late winter or early spring before it starts producing new growth. Water the weeping fig with a watering can until water is flowing from the drainage holes in the container's bottom. Leave the plant to sit until all excess water has drained away.

2

Select a new container that is 2 inches larger than the weeping fig's current container. Check to ensure that the container has drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the container with 3 to 4 inches of potting soil.

3

Cut off any roots emerging from the current container's drainage holes with a pair of pruning shears. Grasp the weeping fig's trunk at the base in one hand. Grasp the pot in the other hand. Tip the plant carefully at a 45-degree angle. Pull on the pot, twisting it slightly to remove it from the root ball.

4

Observe the root ball, looking for any black, mushy or damaged roots. Cut any such roots away with the pruning shears. Massage the bottom of the root ball gently to break up any circling roots, and pull them apart.

5

Place the weeping fig's root ball in the center of the new container. Add potting soil to the container, pushing it down around the root ball. Tamp the soil down firmly around the roots. Fill the container with soil until the soil level is even with the top of the plant's root ball.

6

Water the repotted weeping fig thoroughly to moisten its new potting soil. Allow all excess water to drain away. Add additional soil if necessary to fill in any sunken spots around the root ball. Place the weeping fig back in its normal growing space.

Things You Will Need

Watering can

Container

Potting soil

Pruning shears

Tip

Expect the weeping fig to drop some leaves after transplanting. This is the plant's natural reaction to transplanting stress.

Warning

Handle the weeping fig as carefully as possible, with slow, even movements. Avoid excess shaking or bumping the plant against surfaces, to avoid extra stress.

About the Author

Jessica Westover began writing professionally in 2010. She has worked at various greenhouse production facilities and more recently as a personal banking assistant for Zions Bank. Westover graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in horticulture and a minor in accounting.

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